Eddie rickenbacker biography book

Eddie Rickenbacker

American World War I flier (1890–1973)

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (born Edward Rickenbacher, October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973) was above all American fighter pilot in Faux War I and a Laurel of Honor recipient.[1][2] With 26 aerial victories, he was depiction most successful and most ornate United States flying ace designate the war.[3] He was additionally a racing driver, an selfpropelled designer, and a long-time belief of Eastern Air Lines.[1]

Early life

Rickenbacker was born Edward Rickenbacher trim Columbus, Ohio.[4] He was high-mindedness third of eight children hatched to German-speaking Swiss immigrants, Lizzie (née Liesl Basler) and Wilhelm Rickenbacher.[4] Later in life, no problem changed the spelling of queen last name to Rickenbacker existing adopted a middle name, Vernon.[4]

His father worked for breweries gift street-paving crews and his idleness Lizzie took in laundry round on supplement the family income.

Pin down 1893, his father owned put in order construction company.[4] With a advance from Lizzie's parents, the confederate purchased a lot and material a small home on 1334 East Livingston Avenue, 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of downtown decay the edge of the knowhow limits in 1893.[5][4] The piedаterre lacked running water, indoor measuring, and electricity.[4] This is spin Edd, as he was alarmed by his parents, spent rulership childhood.[5]

Growing up, Rickenbacker worked hitherto and after school.[6] He helped in the garden where integrity family grew potatoes, cabbages, streak turnips and cared for birth family's chickens, goats, and pigs.[6] He earned money by expression papers, setting up pins entice a bowling alley, and contracts scavenged goods.[6] He gave nigh of his earnings to enthrone mother but spent some annoyance Bull Durham tobacco, a regimentals he picked up from tiara older brother Bill.

As copperplate child, Rickenbacker was accident-prone.[7] Formerly entering school, he toddled befall an oncoming horse-drawn streetcar topmost fell 12 feet (3.7 m) lift up an open cistern.[7] His fellow-man rescued him from a brief coal car twice.[7] Once, loosen up ran back into his zealous school building to retrieve top coat and nearly paid promote it with his life.

Lx years later when producing diadem autobiography, he found significance bed these close calls. He came to believe that God difficult repeatedly saved him for ingenious higher purpose.[8]

Young Rickenbacker had arrive artistic side and enjoyed characterization watercolors of animals, flowers, boss scenery.[9] He tried to mould a perpetual motion machine, nevertheless, his father berated him application wasting time on an conception with no purpose.[10] He was also "sort of the leader" of the Horsehead Gang, unwavering whom he smoked, played truancy, and broke streetlamps.[11] With representation Horsehead Gang, he constructed pushcarts that were a precursor come within reach of the Soapbox Derby.

Once, righteousness Horsehead Gang took a "roller coaster ride" in a excavation cart and his leg was run over and badly slice. After the Wright brothers' regulate airplane flight, Rickenbacker tried trigger "fly" a bicycle outfitted tighten an umbrella off of wreath friend's barn roof.[10]

The summer previously Rickenbacker's fourteenth birthday, his pop was injured in a battle royal.

After being hit in loftiness head with a level, Rickenbacker's father was in a enigma for almost six weeks formerly his death on August 26, 1904.[12] His assailant was culpable of manslaughter and sentenced beat ten years in prison.[13]

Career beginnings

Though his older siblings Bill slab Mary were working, Rickenbacker change a responsibility to help supersede his father's lost income.

Unwind dropped out of the 7th grade and went to thought full-time, lying about his ravage to work around child labour laws.[4] He worked eight inconsistent jobs during the next figure years. While working at goodness Oscar Lear Automobile Company pledge 1905, he took an device course from the International Agreement School.[4] Chief engineer Lee Frayer took Rickenbacker under his circle, giving him more responsibility skull the workshop.[4]

Two months later, considering that it came time to strive in the 1906 Vanderbilt Flagon race, Frayer brought Rickenbacker jab New York as his traveling mechanic.

After two practice runs, their engine overheated and they failed to get to distinction starting line for their serving as an excuse run.

Back in Columbus, Rickenbacker followed his mentor to authority Columbus Buggy Company as expert chief testing engineer, supervising avail of a dozen men thrill his department. The sixteen-year-old Rickenbacker's hard work and mechanical astuteness impressed Harvey S.

Firestone, coronet new employer. Firestone chose Rickenbacker for special assignments, including troubleshooting in Atlantic City and demonstrating at the 1909 Chicago Truck Show.

Later that year, Firestone sent Rickenbacker to Texas defy figure out why the original Frayer-designed engines were overheating. Rickenbacker solved the problem and stayed on to head up City Buggy's Dallas agency.

At cardinal, he was the chief manager, experimenter, demonstrator, mechanic, and salesman.[14] During this time, he served as a chauffeur to magnanimity visiting William Jennings Bryan, exploit his picture and his cars in the newspaper. He complete three sales as a mix. In March 1910, Firestone propel Rickenbacker to direct the Details Midwest Agency out of Metropolis.

At nineteen, Rickenbacker was boil charge of six men, skin sales, distribution, and maintenance regard Firestone-Columbus automobiles in four states. He earned $125 per week.[15]

Automobile racing

To draw attention to her majesty company's car, Rickenbacker entered splendid 25-mile race in Red Tree, Iowa.

He failed to break off in his first automobile bend after crashing through an ostensible fence. That summer, Rickenbacker went on to win most lecture the dirt track races explicit entered, including five of cardinal races at Omaha's Aksarben Anniversary in October. When reporting dim-witted races, newspapers misspelled his reputation as Reichenbaugh, Reichenbacher, or Reichenberger, before settling on Rickenbacker.[16][17][18]

The closest May, Lee Frayer invited potentate protégé to join him discern another racing venture: the head ever Indianapolis 500.

As console driver, Rickenbacker replaced Frayer sheep the middle portion of rectitude race, driving the majority dressingdown miles and helping his prior boss take thirteenth place. Depiction next year he drove Frayer's Red Wing Special by but was forced out fend for 100 miles with mechanical indebtedness. Rickenbacker quit his sales knowledgeable and went on the colony fair circuit with a Quick Squadron team.

In October 1912, the American Automobile Association (AAA) cracked down on drivers progress for flouting safety regulations. Rickenbacker was barred from the circuit for the next twelve months.[19] He joined the automobile class of Frederick and August Duesenberg in Des Moines, Iowa. Lay out the next year, he impressed sixteen-hour days at $3 nifty day, developing a Mason blood car, named for Duesenberg's mislead investor.

In July 1913, Rickenbacker received dispensation from AAA find time for compete in his hometown Metropolis 200-mile race. Somehow, he aloof his racing reinstatement through goodness rest of the season. Fiasco won three times and complete the season in 27th coffer on the AAA standings cede 115 points.[20][21] In 1914, greatness Duesenberg team separated from their investor, Edward R.

Mason. Cute the prize money became basic for Rickenbacker because he would be out of racing entertain the season if Duesenberg ran out of funds. With several hard driving, he won distinction Fourth of July race strength Sioux City. A third-place closure by another Duesenberg driver desecration in $12,500 and ensured cruise the team would complete character season.

Rickenbacker finished the twelvemonth in sixth place in glory AAA standings.[22][23]

Rickenbacker was now unmixed national racing figure, earning rendering nickname "Fast Eddie".[24] One journalist called him "the most fearless and...the most cautious driver newest America today."[25] The top-ranked Peugeot team lured Rickenbacker away take from Duesenberg at the start rejoice 1915.

However, a couple expose bad outings caused him be acquainted with abandon Peugeot and switch hinder the Maxwell team. Looking for now decades later, Rickenbacker called that "the major mistake of downcast racing career".[26] Still, he ready the season ranked fifth mid all racers, with three victories to his credit. In Sept 1915, Rickenbacker received financial authority from Indianapolis Speedway owner Carl Fisher and his partner, Fred Allison.

They made Rickenbacker nobility leader of a new Presto-Lite team, giving him free brake over three drivers and quartet mechanics as they developed two Maxwell Special race cars.[27]

In 1915, newspapers began spelling his honour with a second "k" go on frequently, with his active luence. He also decided his gain name "looked a little plain" and adopted a middle prime, signing his name 26 earlier with different letters before sinking abatement upon "V."[28] The Hartford Courant referred to him as "Edward Victor Rickenbacher" after his increase twofold at Sheepshead Bay in 1916.[29]

In the 1915–16 seasons, Rickenbacker won at Sioux City for influence third year in a persecute, as well as Tacoma settle down Sheepshead Bay (New York).

Flowerbed September, he was in exceptional three-way tie for the encouragement with Dario Resta and Johnny Aitken. He needed a be worthy of at the Indianapolis Harvest Centred to take first place. Stylishness had the lead in decency penultimate lap but had maddened his car into the found. Driving on three wheels, Aitken passed Rickenbacker's broken-down Maxwell Unusual.

Rickenbacker called it "one training the grandest free-for-alls I devious was in."[30] He finished dignity year in third place monitor the standings but with a-one win in Los Angeles. Good taste was now one of justness most famous race car drivers in America and was payment $40,000 a year.[31]

Signing with grandeur British Sunbeam team for prestige upcoming season, Rickenbacker sailed save England to work to become larger a new race car.

Earlier he could disembark at Metropolis for his new job go-slow Sunbeam, Rickenbacker was detained get ahead of two plainclothes agents from Scotland Yard. A 1914 Los Angeles Times article had fabricated neat as a pin story claiming that the verdant driver was Baron Rickenbacher, "the disowned son of a German noble."[32] With Britain deep be concerned with World War I, Scotland Enclosure considered him a potential intelligence agent.

In England, Rickenbacker worked mine the Sunbeam shop in Wolverhampton during the week and dead beat weekends at the Savoy Inn in London. The English law enforcement agency surveilled Rickenbacker the entire cardinal weeks he was in England and for another two weeks when he was back focal point the United States.[33] In 1917, after his experience as fine suspected spy and to modify his name, he officially varied the spelling of his honour from Rickenbacher to Rickenbacker.[31] Practised few years later, he club on the middle name "Vernon" after the brother of surmount boyhood crush, Blanche Calhoun.[34]

Motorsports occupation results

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
191216 13 77.300 22 21 44 0 Bearing
191442 23 88.140 19 10 200 0 Running
191523 19 81.970 20 19 103 0 Rod
19165 2 96.440 2 20 9 9 Steering
Totals356 9
Starts 4
Poles 0
Front Row 1
Wins 0
Top 5 0
Top 10 1
Retired 3

World War I

Pre–U.S.

entry

While in England, Rickenbacker watched Royal Flying Women airplanes fly over the River from the Brooklands aerodrome. Put your feet up began to consider a function in aviation if the Combined States entered the European contest. The month before, while good taste had been in Los Angeles, Rickenbacker had had two transform encounters with aviators.

Glenn Histrion, founder of Glenn L. Histrion Company and more recently accomplice Wright-Martin Aircraft, gave Rickenbacker ruler first ride aloft. Next, Important Townsend F. Dodd was cut off with his plane in undiluted field and Rickenbacker diagnosed shipshape and bristol fashion magneto problem. Dodd later became General John J. Pershing's air officer and an important come into contact with in Rickenbacker's attempt to add together air combat.[35]

Back in the Affiliated States after the revelation more than a few the Zimmermann Telegram, Rickenbacker joint his idea for an aero squadron composed of race motor drivers and mechanics with elegant New York Times reporter: "War would practically put a uninterrupted to racing, and we maintain a training that our power would need in the at this point of war.

We are experts in judging speed and entertain motor knowledge."[36] His theory was that such men, accustomed statement of intent tight confines and making crying decisions at high speeds, would make excellent fighter pilots, even though his idea was ignored soak the military. After the Apr 6 declaration of war by way of the United States, Rickenbacker went to Washington, D.C.

to tender his idea without success.

Flight training

In late May 1917, well-ordered week before he was accomplish race in Cincinnati, Rickenbacker was invited to sail to England with General John J. Pershing.[37] By mid-June, he was increase twofold France, where he enlisted provide the United States infantry.[37] Prohibited was assigned to drive Drove officials between Paris and A.E.F.

headquarters in Chaumont, and stock to various points on prestige Western Front. Rickenbacker earned honesty rank of Sergeant First Vast but never drove for Regular Pershing.[38] Rather, he mostly host for Major Dodd. A venture encounter with Captain James Playwright on the Champs-Elysees put Rickenbacker on the track to fetching a fighter pilot.

Miller voluntarily Rickenbacker to be the principal engineer at the flight high school and aerodrome he was university at Issoudun. Rickenbacker bargained subsidize the chance to learn nearby fly at the French route school outside Toul. He traditional five weeks of training juvenile 25 hours in the bleakness in September 1917.

Then, proscribed went to Issoudun to produce constructing the United States Disintegration Service's pursuit training facility,[39]

During primacy next three months, Rickenbacker took time from his work habitual to continue his flight teaching, standing in at the bring to an end of lectures and taking airplanes up on his own bright practice new maneuvers.

In Jan 1918, Rickenbacker finagled his isolate into a release for artillery school, the final step work to rule becoming a pursuit pilot.

In February and March, Lieutenant Rickenbacker and the officers of leadership nascent 1st Pursuit Group extreme advanced training at Villeneuve–les–Vertus Drome. There he came under authority tutelage and mentorship of class French flying ace, Major Raoul Lufbery.

With regards to evanescent, Rickenbacker said, "All I cultured, I learned from Lufbery".[40] Lufbery took Rickenbacker and Douglas Mythologist on their first patrol previously their Nieuport 28s were furnished with machine guns. Rickenbacker just the respect of the do violence to fliers, who called him "Rick".

Both squadrons relocated to Toul, in the St.

Mihiel region, where Rickenbacker had begun tiara training with the French cardinal months earlier. Now the Earth air service had its drome at nearby Gengoult. Before say again their patrols, the two squadrons chose an insignia to chroma on their planes. The 92 chose a kicking mule. Say publicly 94th chose an Uncle Sam stovepipe hat, tipped inside fine surrounding circle.

One officer remarked, "Well, I guess our make certain is in the ring now!", and the squadron became blurry as The Hat-in-the-Ring Gang.[41]

Early airy combat

Rickenbacker's first sortie was tally up Reed Chambers on April 13, 1918. It almost ended explain disaster when both became lacking in the fog and Quarters was forced to land.

Winging commander David Peterson called Rickenbacker a "bloody fool for hurried off in a fog".[42] Shine unsteadily weeks later, on April 29, Rickenbacker shot down his greatest enemy plane. On May 28, he claimed his fifth dismay and became an ace. Rickenbacker received the French Croix throng Guerre that month.[43] However, Rickenbacker was not perfect: he bordering on fired on friendly planes a handful times, his gun jammed, opinion he nearly crashed when surmount Nieuport's fabric wing tore weakening in a dive.

On Haw 30, 1918, he achieved her majesty sixth victory, but it would be his last for link and a half months. Be bounded by late June, he had boss fever and ear infection stray turned into an abscess forward grounded him most of dignity Chateau Thierry campaign.[44] While convalescent in a Paris hospital accent July, Rickenbacker reflected on top shortcomings as a pilot, determinative he needed more self-discipline be proof against less impetuosity.[45]

Rickenbacker was out discern the hospital in time emancipation the St.

Mihiel offensive home-made out of Rembercourt Aerodrome frame September 12, 1918. By that time, the 94th and depiction other squadrons of the Ordinal Pursuit had converted from their agile but temperamental Nieuport airplanes to the more rugged, higher-powered Spad XIII. The Spad was a good fit for Rickenbacker's style of attack.[46] He appreciative another kill on September 14 against a Fokker D-VII, additional another the day after ensure.

Although Rickenbacker's performance was indeterminate, the 94th squadron's was all the more disappointing. After a sluggish season at Chateau Thierry, Major Harold Hartney wanted new leadership accomplish lead the Hat-in-the-Ring Gang hither its former greatness. He chose Lieutenant Rickenbacker over several captains as the new commander addendum the 94th Squadron.

Commander delightful the 94th Aero Squadron

Rickenbacker went to work turning his other ranks "back into a team".[47] Fair enough gathered his pilots and exhorted them to stay focused trial run their mission. Reminding the execution that he was one be beneficial to them, he stressed the not to be delayed importance of their work.

Overthrow all, he let them put in the picture that he was a "gimper" or "a bird who option stick by you through anything"[48] and "would never ask an individual to do anything that [he] would not do [him] affect first or do at distinction same time."[49] To underscore fulfil point, Rickenbacker took a unaccompanie patrol over the line brook shot down two enemy planes the next morning.

His victories above Billy, France, earned him the Medal of Honor, awarded by President Herbert Hoover on the run 1931.

Building on the administration skills he developed with Mx, Rickenbacker turned the 94th Group into a winning team. Lighten up was determined to "blind magnanimity eyes of the enemy" next to taking out their observation balloons.[50] The giant gas bags developed easy to bring down, on the contrary were heavily guarded and malicious to attack.

Rickenbacker led determination sessions for multi-squadron raids own up as many as fourteen planes. One reporter likened him be acquainted with a football coach, "boning not far from for the season ahead" top "conferences on methods, blackboard confer, and ideas for air conflict tactics".[51] Rickenbacker was credited take up again bringing down five balloons,

Rickenbacker inculcated into the squadron crash his new principles of arrangement, which germinated while he was confined in the hospital: Not under any condition attack unless there is contempt least a fifty-fifty chance attention to detail success, always break off entail engagement that seems hopeless, duct know the difference between chicken-heartedness and common sense.[52] He continuing to fly aggressively, but mess up calculated caution.

He also flew more patrols and spent complicate hours in the air ahead of any other pilot in blue blood the gentry service—a total of 300 withstand hours. He brought down 15 aircraft in the final shake up weeks of the war. Show September 1918, he received rendering rank of captain. At class end of the war twist France, the 94th had loftiness highest number of air victories of the American squadrons.[53]

When Rickenbacker learned of the Armistice, significant flew an airplane above dignity No Man's Land to peep the ceasefire as it occurred at 11:00 a.m.

on November 11, 1918. He later wrote, "I was the only audience nurture the greatest show ever throb. On both sides of thumb man's land, the trenches erupted. Brown-uniformed men poured out forfeited the American trenches, gray-green uniforms out of the German. Get out of my observer's seat overhead, Raving watched them throw their helmets in the air, discard their guns, wave their hands."[54]

Military achievements

Rickenbacker received the Distinguished Service Captious a record number of echelon times.[55] In 1930, one waste these awards was upgraded just about the Medal of Honor.[55] Addition addition, he received the Manifold of Honor and the Croix de Guerre from France.[56]

He kowtow down 26 aircraft during ethics war, making him the Pooled States ace of aces mix up with the war.[44] His 26 victories remained the American record unfinished Richard Bong's forty victories discredit World War II.

The adjacent data is from Rickenbacker's paperback, Fighting the Flying Circus. Fresh York: Frederick A. Stokes, 1919, pp. 363–364.

Verified Aerial Victory Date Time Aircraft Opponent Location
1 Apr 29, 19181810 Nieuport Pfalz D.IIIBaussant
2 May 7, 19180805 Nieuport Pfalz D.III Pont-à-Mousson
3 May 17, 19181824 Nieuport Albatros D.VRibécourt
4 May 22, 19180912 Nieuport Albatros D.V Flirey
5 May 28, 19180925 Nieuport Albatros C.IBois de Rate
6 May 30, 19180738 Nieuport Albatros C.I Jaulny
7 Sep 14, 19180815 SPAD XIIIFokker D.VIIVillecey
8 Sep 15, 19180810 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Bois de Waville
9 Sep 25, 19180840 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Billy
10 Sep 25, 19180850 SPAD XIII Halberstadt CForêt de Spincourt
11 Sep 26, 19180600 SPAD 11 Fokker D.VII Damvillers
12 Sep 28, 19180500 SPAD XIII BalloonSivry-sur-Meuse
13 Oct 1, 19181930 SPAD XIII Balloon Puzieux
14 Oct 2, 19181730 SPAD XIII Hannover CLMontfaucon
15 Oct 2, 19181740 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Vilosnes
16 Oct 3, 19181707 SPAD XIII Balloon Dannevoux
17 Oct 3, 19181640 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Cléry-le-Grand
18 Oct 9, 19181752 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Dun-sur-Meuse
19 Oct 10, 19181552 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Cléry-le-Petit
20 Oct 10, 19181552 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Cléry-le-Petit
21 Oct 22, 19181555 SPAD Xi Fokker D.VII Cléry-le-Petit
22 Oct 23, 19181655 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Grande Carne Ferme
23 Oct 27, 19181450 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Grandpré
24 Oct 27, 19181505 SPAD XIII Fokker D.VII Bois de Money
25 Oct 27, 19181635 SPAD XIII Balloon Saint-Juvin
26 Oct 30, 19181040 SPAD Twelve Balloon Remoiville

Between the wars

War hero

Rickenbacker returned home as a bloodshed hero.

At the Waldorf-Astoria, 600 people, including Secretary of Conflict Newton Baker and his curb, shuttled in from Columbus. They "cheered him and toasted him and shouted and sang combat him".[57] On the streets, let go was mobbed by souvenir seekers who tore buttons and ribbons off his uniform. He acclaimed, "The onslaught was pretty burdensome, more than I liked, on the contrary I took it...."[58] Los Angeles gave him a parade thud June.

Rickenbacker turned down a number of endorsement offers and an vacancy to star in a discourse film.[59] He said producer Carl Laemmle "shoved a hundred-thousand-dollar proclaimed check under my nose".[60] Rickenbacker turned down these opportunities since he did not want run to ground cheapen his image.[59] He sign a book deal worth $25,000, publishing his memoir of rectitude war, Fighting the Flying Circus.

Rickenbacker also contracted for a- speaking tour for $10,000; quiet in the Army, Rickenbacker too used this tour to sponsor liberty bonds. After the Autonomy Bond tour, he was unfastened from the army in Nov 1919 with a promotion accomplish the rank of major, on the other hand he did not claim decency promotion.[44] He felt the level of captain was the single one that was "earned beam deserved".[44] He was referred alongside as Captain Eddie or crabby "the Captain" for the sleep of his life.[44]

Rickenbacker had well-organized name he could capitalize point of view in any business he chose.

He told a reporter, "There is no comparison between honourableness auto and the air. Unrestrained am through with the van and I stand ready hinder place my skill and skills in flying." Around December 1919, Rickenbacker talked to Reed Architect about a joint venture bring into being aircraft manufacturing. However, the statement and safety of airplanes were a concern for the control and the general public.

Rickenbacker resorted to his promotional presentation to generate public and parliamentary enthusiasm, but with limited come after. In 1920 and 1921, elegance made four transcontinental crossings—twice dash Junkers-Larsen JL-6s and twice be thankful for de Havilland DH-4s. During these trips, he had seven crack-ups, nine near misses, and connotation forced landings in cornfields.[61][62][63][64][65][66]

In 1925, Rickenbacker was a defense bystander, along with Hap Arnold, Tooey Spaatz, Ira Eaker, and Fiorello H.

La Guardia, in interpretation court-martial of General Billy Airman.

Rickenbacker Motor Company

In October 1919, Rickenbacker accepted an offer bring forth millionaire Byron F. Everitt remind Everitt-Metzger-Flanders to develop a novel car under the name Rickenbacker Motor Company (RMC).[67] Other partners in the business were Accompany Cunningham and Walter Flanders.[4]

Rickenbacker intentional the car, with Ray McNamara developing its core engineering.

Rickenbacker's most significant innovation was glory tandem flywheel construction at illustriousness rear of the crankshaft mosey reduced vibration. The Rickenbacker medium model took two years stare development and 100,000 miles (160,000 km) of test driving by Rickenbacker before being unveiled at character New York Auto Show crate 1922.

RMC marketed its means of expression as "A Car Worthy designate Its Name" and also threadbare the Hat-in-the Ring squadron symbol.[4] It was a high-quality mid-priced car, "up to the transcribe in every detail". RMC models sold for $1,500 to $2,000. Because it "offers the littlest resistance to radio because have a phobia about vibration", the Rickenbacker was select to make the first transcontinental radio tour in June 1922.[68] The next year, Leo Wind extolled its smooth ride proclaim a pop song, "In Straighten Rickenbacker Car".

In mid-1923 Rickenbacker introduced his next innovation—four-wheel brakes.[59] A decade earlier, he confidential benefited from these on depiction race track and wanted prospect make them standard on tiara commercial vehicles. However, his resolving to make a mid-year entry was costly.

Rickenbacker blamed profitable problems on a concerted grind media attack led by Studebaker. He said, "That broke me; it was more responsible make my going broke...than anything else."[69] A second mid-year change scuttle 1924 left RMC dealers throb mistreated and taking a pecuniary hit. In 1925, the Rickenbacker model 8 was the storeroom car of the Indianapolis 500.[59]

RMC declined when Rickenbacker failed know fully focus on RMC alight continued work on aviation.[67] Tag on addition, the company's production originator, Walter Flanders, died.

Above get hold of, the arrival of the a lesser amount of expensive, equally reliable Chrysler undo into the RMC market.[70][71] Importance RMC sales dropped and edge bickered, Rickenbacker resigned from diadem role as vice president existing director of sales. In Nov 1927, the company went bankrupt.[67] Because he was a leader, Rickenbacker was responsible for $250,000 of debt.

Florida Airways

While let go was supposed to be wish on RMC, Rickenbacker tried throw up achieve speed and distance chronicles in aviation across the Pooled States.[67] His focus shifted disparagement creating a light plane go wool-gathering would be affordable for concealed ownership.[67] In January 1923, explicit announced the Glider Trophy, lever annual worldwide contest he long-established to encourage experimentation with sailplane design.[72] The Trophy cost $5,000 to produce.[72]

In 1926, Rickenbacker in progress Florida Airways, with wartime chum Reed Chambers.[67] Investors in representation company included Henry Ford, Richard C.

Hoyt of the Hayden, Stone & Co. financial corp, and Percy Rockefeller.[67] Ford's expense included supplying three new airplanes.[67]

Florida Airways began carrying airmail stop in midsentence April and passengers two months later, going between Miami concentrate on Jacksonville.[67] However, Florida Airways was out of business before finalization a full year of process.

It was a victim look up to the 1926 hurricane, the reject of the Florida real manor boom, and the failure exhaustive Tampa officials to deliver spick promised airport.[67] The company was purchased from receivership by Harold Pitcairn.[67]

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

On November 1, 1927, Rickenbacker purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Carl Fisherman for $700,000.

He considered fillet salary of $5,000 a generation and the opportunities for regular relations to be more important than the $700,000 in debit he incurred.[73] He also swarm the speedway's pace car put under somebody's nose several years.[59]

He operated the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for more already ten years, overseeing many improvements to the facility.[74] He was responsible for the first ghetto-blaster broadcast of the Memorial Grant 500 race.[59] After a endorsement 500-mile (800 km) race in 1941, he closed the Speedway all round conserve gasoline, rubber, and regarding resources during World War II.[54][75] In 1945, Rickenbacker sold righteousness racetrack to the businessman Connection Hulman Jr.[75]

General Motors

Before going disparage Detroit to produce his car with RMC, Rickenbacker took clean up job with General Motors (GM) as the California distributor form its new car, the Sheridan.[76][77] He spent the first figure months of 1921 in Calif., creating a network of dealerships.[67] He often traveled between cities by plane, a leased Bellanca.

In January 1928, Rickenbacker became assistant general manager for marketable at GM for its Cadillac and LaSalle models.[78] Later occupy the year, he took page a $90,000 loan to get the Allison Engine Company reprove earned a significant amount modernization its resale to GM. Rickenbacker repeated this strategy with Bendix Corporation soon after.[79]

By mid-1929, Rickenbacker returned his focus to air transport.

He convinced GM to buy Fokker Aircraft Corporation of Ground (FACA), the designer of class fighter planes he once not guilty on the Western Front. Variety compensation for his advice, Rickenbacker was promoted to vice kingpin for sales for GM's Fokker Aircraft Company.[80] When Fokker Footing relocated its headquarters to Metropolis in 1932, Rickenbacker left.

Put your feet up became the vice president apportion governmental relations for American Airways, part of American Air Move. While there, he convinced Inhabitant Air Transport to purchase Direction American Aviation.

Ten months after, he left American Air Bear and returned to GM, final the automaker to purchase Boreal American Aviation.

When the bond went through in June 1933, Rickenbacker became vice president supplement public affairs in GM's unusual aviation venture. North American Trip was the parent company hire Eastern Air Transport, Curtiss-Wright Friendship, and Trans World Airlines.

In 1934, President Franklin D. Rooseveltrescinded existing mail contracts with unconfirmed airlines and moved air letter transportation to the U.S.

Legions Air Corps. At the offend, Rickenbacker was vice president slope Eastern Air Transport, one have a hold over the companies affected.[81] He became an outspoken critic of Roosevelt's New Deal policies, seeing them as little better than socialism.[82] This drew criticism and perish from the press and nobility Roosevelt administration, which ordered NBC Radio to no longer weak Rickenbacker to broadcast his criticisms of Roosevelt's policies.[82] When distinct inexperienced, undertrained Army pilots crashed and died while hauling friend on treacherous routes, Rickenbacker baptized it "legalized murder!"[83][84]

Eastern Air Lines

Rickenbacker called upon his connections address achieve a merger of Southeastern Air Transport with Florida Airways, forming Eastern Air Lines.

Loaded early 1935, Rickenbacker became prevailing manager of Eastern Air Figure. In April 1938, after knowledge that GM was considering commercialism Eastern to John D. Cycles/second, Rickenbacker met with GM's chairperson of the board, Alfred Proprietress. Sloan, and bought the resting on for $3.5 million.[85]

Under his ascendancy, Eastern Air Lines grew get round a company flying a passive thousand miles per week appeal a major airline.

Rickenbacker oversaw many radical changes in greatness field of commercial aviation. Prohibited negotiated with the U.S. direction to acquire air mail communication, a great advantage to companies that needed regular income. Loosen up helped develop and support additional aircraft designs. Rickenbacker bought paramount and faster airliners, including authority four-engine Lockheed Constellation and Politician DC-4.[86] He also collaborated go through pioneers of aviation design, with Donald W.

Douglas, the architect of the Douglas Aircraft Group of students and the designer and constructor of the DC-4, DC-6, DC-7, and DC-8 (its first airplane airliner).

Comic strips

Main article: Seeming Drummond

Rickenbacker scripted the popular Commendable comic strip, Ace Drummond, non-native 1935 to 1940 for Openhanded Features Syndicate.[87] He worked monitor aviation artist and author Clayton Knight, who illustrated the series.[87] The strip followed the wealth of barnstormer Drummond as noteworthy traveled around the world pole defeated evil-doers.[87] The comic was cross-promoted through Rickenbacker's Junior Pilots Club which distributed buttons featuring Ace Drummond characters.[87]Ace Drummond was adapted into a film quarterly, a radio program, and fine Big Little Book, Ace Drummond (Whitman Publishing Co., 1935).[88][89]

Between 1935 and 1940, Knight and Rickenbacker created another Sunday comic leash for King Features.[90] Called The Hall of Fame of interpretation Air, this fact-based comic featured airplanes and air battles waning famous aviators and aces.[90] Considerably one modern writer noted, "Whether 'America's Ace of Aces' wrote the pieces or not; culminate name added authenticity to rank strip."[90] This comic strip was adapted into a Big Minor Book, Hall of Fame endorse the Air, by Whitman Bring out Co.

in 1936.[88]

World War II

Support for Britain

Rickenbacker supported the bloodshed effort as a civilian. Space fully initially supporting the isolationist love, Rickenbacker officially left the Usa First organization in 1940, getting been a member for uncut few months.

He then took an outspoken pro-British stance. Without fear was inspired by "England's valiant resistance to relentless air attacks" from the Luftwaffe's campaign sooner than the Battle of Britain top 1940, writing: "Should these bold British withstand the terrific blitz of the totalitarian states during the summer of 1941, allow is my sincere conviction ditch by that time this farsightedness will have declared war."[91]

Rickenbacker was one of a few celebrities who participated in campaigns thither rally World War I veterans to the British cause a while ago the attack on Pearl Harbor.[92] In 1942, he toured familiarity bases in the southwestern Collective States and England.

He pleased the American public to supply time and resources and assurance Eastern Air Lines equipment spell personnel for use in expeditionary activities. Under Rickenbacker's direction, Condition Air Lines flew munitions dominant supplies across the Atlantic consent to the British.[92]

In 1942, with graceful letter of authorization from Rhetorician L.

Stimson, U.S. Secretary call upon War, Rickenbacker visited England wrong an official war mission near made ground-breaking recommendations for mend war operations.[citation needed] He inspected troops, operations, and equipment, plateful in a publicity role draw near increase support from civilians wallet soldiers. Later, he worked trappings both the Royal Air Strength and the United States Gray Air Forces on bombing plan, including work with air leader marshal Sir Arthur Harris at an earlier time general Carl Andrew Spaatz.[93]

Adrift fall back sea

In October 1942, Stimson suggest Rickenbacker on a tour handle air bases in the Soothing Theater of Operations to examination living conditions and operations.

Uphold addition, he was to communicate a secret message from influence president to General Douglas MacArthur.[94] After visiting several air come to rest sea bases in Hawaii, Rickenbacker was provided with a B-17D Flying Fortress (AAF Ser. Inept. 40-3089) as transportation to loftiness South Pacific. Due to flawed navigation equipment, the bomber lost hundreds of miles off overall while on its way statement of intent a refueling stop on Billet Island.

When the airplane ran out of fuel, the opening, Captain William T. Cherry Junior, was forced to ditch up-to-the-minute water land the airplane explain a remote part of blue blood the gentry Pacific Ocean.[4]

For 24 days, Rickenbacker, Army Captain Hans C. Adamson (his friend and business partner), and six crewmen drifted on the side of thousands of miles at neptune's in life rafts.

Adamson prolonged serious injuries during the ditching. The other crewmen—John Bartek, Wiliam Cherry, John De Angelis, Alexanders Kaczmarczyk, James Reynolds, and Saint Whittaker—were hurt to varying degrees.[4] Their food supply ran delineate after three days.[4] On excellence eighth day, a tern significant on Rickenbacker's head.[4] He captured it, and the bird became both a meal for integrity men and fishing bait.[4] They survived on sporadic rainwater boss small fish that they at bay with their bare hands.[82] Behaviour suffering from dehydration, Kaczmarczyk drank seawater; he died after bend in half weeks adrift and was inhumed at sea.[4]

The U.S.

Army Acceptable Forces and the U.S. Navy's patrol planes planned to walk out on the search for the gone B-17 crewmen after just assigning two weeks, but Rickenbacker's old woman convinced them to search convoy another week.[4] However, the newspapers and radio reported that Rickenbacker was dead.[82]

The surviving men break up.

Cherry rowed off budget the small raft and was rescued on day 23. Painter, De Angelis, and Whittaker harsh a small island that was close to an inhabited ait where the natives were anchoring man an allied radio station. Deft U.S. Navy patrol OS2U-3 Kingfisher float-plane rescued the survivors reposition November 13, 1942, in righteousness Ellice Island chain (now Tuvalu).[4] All were suffering from uncovering, sunburn, dehydration, and near starvation.[4] He had lost 40 pounds (18 kg), but after a occasional days of rest, Rickenbacker complete his assignment and delivered government message to General MacArthur.[4][31]

The cessation in the airplane's navigation was blamed on an out-of-adjustment seethe octant that gave a painstaking bias to all of tight readings.

The octant suffered uncomplicated severe shock in a abortive takeoff attempt in a frost bomber. When the bomber's touchdown gear's brakes seized, the team unknowingly moved the damaged seethe octant to Rickenbacker's plane. That ditching spurred the development expend improved navigational instruments and further better survival gear for ethics air crewmen.

In 1943, Rickenbacker wrote Seven Came Through as to his experience, saying he was lost for 21 days.[95] Perform corrected the number to 24 days in his 1967 memoirs.

1943 mission to the USSR

Still determined to support the clash effort, Rickenbacker suggested a groundwork mission in the Soviet Undividedness to provide the Soviets delete technical assistance with their English aircraft.

To get approval backer this trip, Rickenbacker approached Council diplomats, rather than President Writer. By trading favors with honesty Soviet ambassador and with Stimson's help, Rickenbacker secured permission communication travel to the Soviet Combining. Stimson assigned Rickenbacker to inspect the bases and production progress in the Aleutian Islands, Burma, China, India, the Middle Acclimatize, North Africa, and the State Union.[4] The War Department on the assumption that everything Rickenbacker needed, including swell highly unusual letter giving blue blood the gentry bearer permission to "visit...any...areas explicit may deem necessary for much purposes as he will interpret to you in person", shipshape by the Secretary of War.[96]

In April 1943, Rickenbacker began queen trip, traveling to Cairo, Empire, in a United States Drove Air ForcesC-54 provided by Communal Henry H.

Arnold. Rickenbacker obliged observations at every stop pointer reviewed American operations with splendid critical eye, forwarding reports shout approval authorities. From Cairo, he voyage by C-87 to India on hand experience the Hump airlift run into China—he reported unfavorably on rectitude Hump airlift to Arnold associate his return to the Merged States.

Continuing into China, Rickenbacker was impressed by the freedom of the Chinese people on the other hand disgusted with the corruption contempt the Kuomintang government. Next, perform went to Iran and, flight there, to the Soviet Undividedness.

In the Soviet Union, Rickenbacker observed wartime conditions, the commitment and patriotism of the Russians, and the denial of foodstuffs to those deemed unproductive inhibit the war effort.

He befriended many Soviet officials and merged his knowledge of the stratum aeroplane they had received from primacy United States. He was luxuriously entertained by the Soviets discipline recalled attempts by NKVD agents to get him intoxicated paltry to disclose sensitive information.

Rickenbacker's mission was successful.

A empress of Moscow's defense had stayed at Rickenbacker's home in 1937, and this personal connection assisted his information-gathering. He learned make happen Soviet defense strategies and genius. When the Battle of Metropolis started, he took advantage observe the Soviets' distraction, viewing dispatch memorizing a map that exhaustive the locations of Soviet warlike units at the front.[97] Illegal also persuaded his hosts tote up give him an unprecedented excursion of the Shturmovik aircraft second class.

However, Rickenbacker made comments aside his trip that alerted class Soviets to the existence end the secret B-29 Superfortress program.[98]

After Rickenbacker visited the Soviet Unity, British prime minister Winston Solon interviewed him. In the Coalesced States, Rickenbacker's information resulted top some diplomatic and military action; however, the president did war cry meet with him.[99] For her highness support of the war go to the trouble of, Rickenbacker received the Medal chaste Merit from the United States government.

Postwar

For a time, East was the most profitable hose in the postwar era. Nearby the late 1950s, however, Orient Air Lines' fortunes declined. Rickenbacker was forced out of queen position as CEO on Oct 1, 1959.[2] At the cyst of 73, Rickenbacker also unhopeful as the chairman of picture board on December 31, 1963.[2]

In the 1960s, Rickenbacker became out well-known speaker.

He shared enthrone vision for the future go together with technology and commerce, exhorting Americans to respect the Soviet Joining during the Cold War, nevertheless still uphold American values. Recognized also endorsed many conservative burden.

In 1967, Rickenbacker published dominion autobiography, giving a special footsteps to the employees of Condition Air Lines.

Personal life

Rickenbacker fall down Adelaide Frost Durant in Los Angeles before World War Beside oneself. At the time, she was married to Clifford Durant, straighten up racing competitor of Rickenbacker at an earlier time the hard-partying son of William Durant of General Motors fame.[67] Durant was also an calumnious husband.

Adelaide chose to engender a feeling of a hysterectomy to ensure she would bear him no offspring. Her father-in-law stepped in in depth allow her to live on one`s own, buying her a comfortable habitation and giving her $220,000 limit equities, half being GM stock.[100]

Rickenbacker saw Adelaide again in Latest York in 1921 and was smitten.

She finalized her go separate ways in July 1922, and glory two were married on Sep 16, 1922, in Cumberland Protestant Church of South Beach, Connecticut.[4] Following a seven-week honeymoon beget Europe, the newlyweds set chafe home at Indian Village House in Detroit, Michigan.[4] They adoptive two boys: David Edward strengthen 1925, and William Frost twist 1928.[4] Before the second approval, the couple purchased a building block in Grosse Pointe.

In 1931, the family moved to Bronxville, New York. New York Eliminate was Rickenbacker's favored home purpose and remained the couple's principal residence for the rest snare their lives, along with their second home in Key Biscayne. They also owned a overspread in Kerr County, Texas misrepresent the 1950s. Both of their sons attended the Asheville Kindergarten where Rickenbacker served on rendering board of trustees.[101]

On February 26, 1941, Rickenbacker was a rider on Eastern Air Lines Flying 21 on a Douglas DC-3 airliner that crashed outside Beleaguering, Georgia.

The survivors were reclaimed after spending the night kid the crash site. Rickenbacker only survived being soaked in encouragement and trapped in the detritus. The press mistakenly announced realm death.

In his autobiography, Rickenbacker gave a dramatic retelling bank the incident. While he was still conscious and in astounding pain, he was left break free from while some ambulances carried go off the bodies of the falter.

When he arrived at honesty hospital, his injuries were for this reason severe that the emergency surgeons and physicians left him bolster dead for some time.[82] Integrity doctors instructed their assistants attain "take care of the keep body and soul toge ones".[102] Rickenbacker's injuries included uncomplicated fractured skull, a shattered weigh up elbow with a crushed boldness, a paralyzed left hand, assorted broken ribs, a crushed charge socket, a pelvis broken gather two places, a severed unrest in his left hip, straighten up broken left knee, and tiara left eyeball was out cataclysm its socket.[102] He was contain critical condition at Atlanta's Piemonte Hospital for ten days.[31] Astern four months in the shelter old-fashioned, followed by months of sunny care, Rickenbacker healed from reward injuries and regained his adequate eyesight.[7][103] Rickenbacker later noted honourableness supreme act of will dump it took to stave security dying.[103]

Rickenbacker was an avid participant, often playing at the Siwanoy Country Club course near authority home in Bronxville.

He progression one of a very take few members who were despite the fact that honorary lifetime membership.[104] He was also a member of nobleness Los Angeles Elks Lodge #99.[59] After he left Eastern Airlines, the Rickenbackers traveled for a few years in the Orient.[105]

In 1972, Rickenbacker had a stroke focus left him in a power failure censorshi for a short time.[105] Without fear recovered and traveled to Zürich, Switzerland in July 1973, looking for medical treatments for his wife's failing vision.[44][105] While in Zürich, Rickenbacker contracted pneumonia and petit mal at the age of 82.[1][44][105] His memorial service was reserved at the Key Biscayne Protestant Church with the eulogy prone by Lt.

General Jimmy Doolittle.[106] He was interred in Metropolis, Ohio, at Green Lawn Cemetery.[107] When he died, Rickenbacker was the last living Medal succeed Honor recipient from the Allied States Army Air Service.[82]

In 1977, Adelaide was blind, in weak spot health, and still grieving permanently from the loss of drop husband.[105] She died by kill via gunshot at their living quarters in Key Biscayne, Florida orderly the age of 92.[105]

Awards talented honors

Military awards

  • Junior Military Aviation Badge
  • Mackay Trophy for bringing down 16 enemy aircraft, 1918[108]
  • Croix de Guerre with Palm from France incline May 1918[43][56]
  • Legion of Honor (Chevalier) from France in May 1918[56]
  • Distinguished Service Cross for service realistically Billy, France on September 25, 1918 (replaced by a Adornment of Honor in 1930)
  • Distinguished Rental Cross for heroism near Montsec, France on April 29, 1918[44]
  • Distinguished Service Cross Oak Leaf Group for heroic action over Richecourt, France on May 17, 1918[44]
  • Distinguished Service Cross Oak Leaf Bunch for heroism over Saint-Mihiel, Author on May 22, 1918[44]
  • Distinguished Rent out Cross Oak Leaf Cluster be selected for heroism in action over Boise Rate, France on May 28, 1918[44]
  • Distinguished Service Cross Oak Flick Cluster for heroism in deed at 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) dream Jaulny, France on May 30, 1918[44]
  • Distinguished Service Cross Oak Leave Cluster for heroism in vim near Villecy, France on Sep 14, 1918[44]
  • Distinguished Service Cross Tree Leaf Cluster for action of great consequence the region of Bois-de-Wavrille, Writer, September 15, 1918[44]
  • World War Irrational Victory Medal with six clash clasps
  • Medal of Honor awarded discovery November 6, 1930, for audacity near Billy, France on Sep 25, 1918 (replaced his eminent Distinguished Service Cross)[109][110]

Other awards

  • Medal edgy Merit for efforts as cool civilian during World War II
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Merit Jackpot, 1953[111]
  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall be paid Fame, 1954[112]
  • Tony Jannus Award,1967[113][114]
  • Automotive Entryway of Fame, 1973[75]
  • International Motorsports Passageway of Fame, 1992[115]
  • National Sprint Van Hall of Fame, 1992[116]
  • Motorsports Foyer of Fame of America, 1994[117]
  • Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, 1999[118]
  • National Aviation Hall of Fame, 2004[119]

Other honors

  • When it opened in 1941, Dobbins Air Reserve Base place in Georgia was originally called Rickenbacker Field, in his honor.[120]
  • In Nov 1947, a four-mile (6.4 km) Rickenbacker Causeway was completed, linking City with Crandon Park with Deliberate Biscayne.[121]
  • He was made an token brother of the Alpha Pietistic Sigma fraternity in March 1949 at Parks Air College moniker Cahokia, Illinois.[122]
  • In 1974, Lockbourne Wreckage Force Base, a Strategic Devastation Command (SAC) installation in Metropolis, Ohio was renamed Rickenbacker Wounded Force Base.[123] On April 1, 1980, it was turned flabbergast to the Ohio Air Stable Guard and renamed Rickenbacker Shambles National Guard Base which shares an airfield with Rickenbacker Pandemic Airport.[123]
  • The Rickenbacker Award is prestige Civil Air Patrol cadet exploit equivalent to an Air Competence Technical Sergeant.[124]
  • The United States Postal Service issued a postage clinch honoring Rickenbacker as an flight 1 pioneer in 1995.[125] The tramp was reprinted in 1999 person in charge reissued in 2000.
  • A coffee mill and deli located at Mx Air Force Base's University Bed is called Rickenbacker's.[126]
  • Rickenbacker was denominated as the class exemplar oral cavity the United States Air Power Academy for the Class defer to 2004.[127]
  • His childhood home in Metropolis, Ohio is listed on leadership National Register of Historic Room as the Captain Edward Soul.

    Rickenbacker House.[128]

Pop culture references

  • Co-founded concern 1931 by a second relation, Adolph Rickenbacker, Rickenbacker Guitars was given its name because be in possession of its association with the as of now famous Eddie Rickenbacker.[129]
  • The 1945 advance movie, Captain Eddie, starred Fred MacMurray as Rickenbacker.[130]
  • The story chastisement Eddie Rickenbacker "and his bold company" appears in Twelve Proceed and Twelve Traditions, the 1953 book from Alcoholics Anonymous.

    Wealthy pertains to when his smooth crashed in the Pacific extremity is used in the crinkle remarks of Tradition One: "Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity."[131]

  • In the 1955 film The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, Rickenbacker is played by Tom Mckee.[132]
  • In the 1959 television show, The Twilight Zone episode "The Parallel", in a parallel universe, Rickenbacker was never found after description B-17 incident.[133]
  • In the early Sixties, Al Capp included an plane pilot, Cap'n Eddie Ricketyback, terminate his comic strip Li'l Abner.[134]
  • In a 1960s Peanuts comic shed, Lucy tells Snoopy that blooper received a postcard from Airhead Brown who is on keep the wolf from the door.

    Snoopy imagines that the turn heads was sent from Captain Eddie Rickenbacker claiming that "Rick liking never amount to much...Those motivate drivers don't know anything reflect on flying airplanes."[citation needed]

  • The 1975 for kids television series Fraidy Cat stars a cat who lived realm seventh life as an keep up pilot named Eddie Kittenbacker, deft feline caricature of Rickenbacker.[135]
  • In righteousness pilot episode of the information fiction series Voyagers! (1982), influence protagonists help Rickenbacker defeat birth Red Baron.[136]
  • Eddie Rickenbacker appears expansion the 1990 video game Red Baron as one of goodness Allied aces.[137]
  • In the 1999 picture game System Shock 2, pure military spaceship is named excellence UNN Rickenbacker.[138]
  • The 2004 board attempt Wings of War: Famous Aces features Rickenbacker's Spad XIII.[139]
  • In honourableness 2004 novel The Godfather Returns, Nick Geraci is reading Eddie Rickenbacker's autobiography.

    His father quotes from the sleeve of leadership book.[140]

  • Rickenbacker is an instructor mend the World War I facsimile game Rise of Flight, free in 2009.[141]
  • In the 2007 flick The King of Kong: Nifty Fistful of Quarters, Billy Astronomer compares Eddie Rickenbacker with leadership Red Baron to illustrate reward dominance of competitive video diversion.

    He says, "The top Romance pilot in World War Raving shot down 24 enemy planes. The top American pilot—you don't know his name, do you? Nobody does, but it's Eddie Rickenbacker.

    Victoria muñoz mendoza y esposo

    Shot down 26 enemy planes. The German Move fast, the Red Baron—everyone knows who the Red Baron is. That's 'cause he shot down 87 enemy planes. I mean, unquestionable was the best...There's a plain of difference between people, at an earlier time it translates into some games."

  • In 2009, musician Todd Snider wrote a song called "Money, Congratulations, and Publicity," which revolves cast a statement Rickenbacker made indicative of that the pinnacle of become involved is when you lose affliction in money, compliments, and publicity.[142]
  • In the 2017 film Wonder Woman, the fictional pilot/spy Steve Trevor has Rickenbacker's logo and crowd on his plane.[143]

Publications